677: Chapter 677 When it comes to business, the secretary will handle it!

The five of them, led by Ye Chen, found a set of tables and chairs prepared by the officials in the valley and sat down directly.

Yan Qingwu pulled a folded piece of paper from her backpack and spread it out on the table.

"This is the schedule for the Martial Arts Tournament."

Ye Chen closed his eyes. "Just tell me about it; I'm too lazy to look."

Yan Qingwu puffed up in anger. "I'm not your secretary!"

"You are now," Ye Chen said as if it were only natural. "A secretary takes care of business when there's business, and when there's none... sorry, wrong set. Anyway, just read it out."

Yan Qingwu really wanted to give Ye Chen a flying kick.

But considering how many people were watching them, she had to maintain a ladylike image for everyone.

Otherwise...

What would people think of the Yan Family of the Capital?

And so.

She forcibly suppressed her urge to go berserk and explained with annoyance.

"The Martial Arts Tournament is divided into three stages."

"The first stage is the open selection, which filters the top sixty from all registered sects and individuals."

"The second stage is the top sixty promotion tournament to determine the top ten."

"The third stage is the top ten ranking tournament to determine the final standings."

"The first-place sect can then choose whether to let their power enter the Kunlun Ruins or not."

Ye Chen was surprised. "Oh? You can choose not to enter the Kunlun Ruins?"

"That's right."

Yan Qingwu spoke testily.

"Otherwise, why do you think the five great powers of the Martial Arts Alliance are still these same five powers?"

"It's not that they don't want to enter, but those behind them won't allow it, treating them instead as 'blood ATMs.'"

Ye Chen realized the truth and gestured for Yan Qingwu to continue reading.

Yan Qingwu glanced at him and continued.

"The rules for the open selection are simple."

"All participants will be randomly grouped, twenty people per group, in a free-for-all."

"The last person standing on the field advances to the top sixty."

"If multiple people are left at the end, they all advance, but that situation is very rare."

"Because the rule of the free-for-all is that only one person can be left standing in the end."

Ye Chen opened one eye. "So it's just a battle royale?"

"Pretty much."

Yan Qingwu nodded.

"But there are rules: no lethal strikes, no crippling someone's cultivation, and no use of hidden weapons or poisons."

"Violators will be disqualified."

Ye Chen closed his eyes again. "Oh."

Seeing his lazy attitude, Yan Qingwu couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you curious who's in your group?"

"Not curious." Ye Chen didn't even lift an eyelid. "I'm going to advance anyway."

Yan Qingwu's lips twitched. "You've got a point."

Having said that, she took a deep breath and forced herself to suppress the urge to roll her eyes.

Ye Chen then asked, "By the way, is the prize still the jade sword?"

"Yes," Yan Qingwu nodded with absolute certainty.

Ye Chen fell into a silent contemplation.

The secret of the bronze key was hidden within the jade sword, and only he knew it.

Therefore.

He was determined to take first place in this Martial Arts Tournament.

Time passed minute by minute.

More and more people gathered in the valley.

The flags of various sects fluttered loudly in the wind, their many colors decorating the entire valley like a giant scroll painting.

Looking across the entire field.

Only Ye Chen's side was unique, actually having no flag at all...

Suddenly!

*Dong—*

The sound of a bell rang out from deep within the valley, distant and lingering.

Everyone gradually fell silent.

They saw.

At the deepest part of the valley, atop a high platform, five figures emerged one after another.

Leading them was an old monk wearing a golden kasaya, his eyebrows and beard entirely white, holding a string of red sandalwood prayer beads.

The Sect Leader of the Buddhist Sect, Master Huineng.

Following closely behind was an old man in a green Daoist robe with white hair and a youthful complexion, holding a horsetail whisk and walking with light steps as if treading on clouds.

The Sect Leader of Wudang, Daoist Master Tishang.

The third person was a middle-aged woman in a moon-white dress, with dignified features and a cold temperament, her brow carrying a hint of heroic spirit.

The Sect Leader of Emei Sect, Abbess Juechen.

The fourth person was none other than Wang Tianlong.

And the last person was the Sect Leader of the Huanshan Sect, Daoist Priest Qingfeng.

The five of them stood still on the high platform, facing the tens of thousands of martial artists below.

Master Huineng was the first to speak.

"Fellow practitioners, welcome to the Martial Arts Tournament."

"This old monk, Huineng, on behalf of the Martial Arts Alliance, welcomes all of you who have come from afar."

A burst of warm applause rang out from below.

Master Huineng pressed his palms together, nodded slightly, and continued.

"The Martial Arts Tournament has been passed down for centuries, aimed at selecting talents for the world's martial arts community and providing a platform for various sects to exchange and compete."

"This year's rules are the same as in previous years."

"The open selection, the top sixty promotion tournament, and the top ten ranking tournament—three stages of selection to finally determine this year's Martial Arts Alliance Leader."

"According to tradition, the sect that takes first place can choose to enter the Kunlun Ruins to cultivate or choose to remain in the secular world."

"Regardless of which path is chosen, the Martial Arts Alliance will provide full support."

Applause rang out once more.

Daoist Master Tishang took a step forward, flicked his whisk, and said loudly.

"This year's open selection will adopt a brand-new grouping method."

The crowd below suddenly went silent, everyone pricking up their ears.

Daoist Master Tishang paused for a moment and continued.

"In the past, groupings were difficult to break up and inevitably lacked fairness."

"This year, the Martial Arts Alliance has introduced a brand-new AI intelligent grouping system."

"This system will perform a comprehensive evaluation based on multi-dimensional data such as every participant's cultivation, age, battle record, and sect background, then scientifically group them to ensure the strength of each group is relatively balanced."

The crowd below immediately exploded with chatter.

"AI grouping? Such high-tech?"

"When did the Martial Arts Alliance become so progressive?"

"Is this thing reliable? What if the system has a bug?"

"Who cares if it's reliable? As long as it's the same for everyone, it's fair."

...

Daoist Master Tishang raised his hand for silence and continued.

"The results of the system grouping will be displayed directly on the large screen."

He pointed to a massive electronic screen at the front of the valley, which was as large as half a football field and currently flashing with blue light.

"After the grouping is finished, each group will enter their respective venues for the open selection in order."

"The selection will take place simultaneously across twenty venues, with one referee supervising each venue."

"Violators will be disqualified on the spot."

"Those who cause serious injury or death will be disqualified and handed over to the judicial authorities for processing."

After Daoist Master Tishang finished speaking, he stepped back and looked at Master Huineng.

Master Huineng nodded and pressed his palms together.

"In that case, let us begin."

As the words fell.

That massive electronic screen suddenly lit up, with lines of text scrolling rapidly.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the screen; some were nervous, some were expectant, and some were uneasy.

Ye Chen also opened his eyes and looked lazily at the screen.

Yan Qingwu leaned over and lowered her voice: "Do you think we'll be in the same group?"

Ye Chen glanced at her. "What if we are?"

"If we're in the same group..." Yan Qingwu thought for a moment, "then I'll just forfeit immediately to avoid getting beaten up by you."

Ye Chen was speechless. "Can't you have a little ambition?"

"Can ambition put food on the table?" Yan Qingwu said righteously. "Besides, fighting you isn't ambition, it's seeking abuse."

Shen Qingyi, sitting to the side, subconsciously nodded upon hearing this.

Mm...

She also agreed with that sentiment.

Jiang Daoxuan and Shu Yuan looked at each other, both seeing a trace of helplessness in each other's eyes.

With a Sect Master like this, as subordinates, they really...

Saved a lot of worry.

The text on the screen scrolled slower and slower until finally, it came to a halt.

Everyone's gaze fell in unison on the large screen.

The next second.

Lists of names for each group were announced.

Yan Qingwu's eyes scanned the screen like a scanner and quickly found her own name.

"I'm in Group 17."

She scanned again and found Shen Qingyi's name: "Qingyi is in Group 8."

She continued scanning down.

"Elder Jiang is in Group 23, and Shu Yuan is in Group 35."

Finally, her gaze landed on the very top of the screen.

"Huh?"

Her pupils contracted slightly. "It seems Ye Chen's name isn't up there."

Ye Chen was stunned for a moment, then sat up straight, his brow furrowing slightly. "No me?"

"See for yourself!"

Yan Qingwu pointed at the large screen.

Ye Chen looked up, his gaze scanning across the massive electronic screen.

Group 1, not there.

Group 10, not there.

Group 20, not there.

Group 40, not there.

He really wasn't in any of them!!!

His expression gradually became peculiar.

Wait...

He had clearly registered, hadn't he?

And it was the Dragon Group that helped him register!

Logically speaking...

The other members of the Ancient Tomb Sect were all successful; it didn't make sense for him to be missing!

Yan Qingwu leaned in, surprised. "Your list was submitted long ago. Could it be the old man got drunk and forgot?"

"Impossible."

Ye Chen pulled out his phone. "I'll ask Wang Tianlong."

As he spoke.

He dialed directly.

The call connected after just one ring.

Wang Tianlong's voice carried a hint of excitement: "Master! I've already handled everything for you!"

"Handled my ass."

Ye Chen interrupted him directly. "Why am I not on the list?"

"Ah?"

Wang Tianlong was stunned. "That's impossible! Although your name and the Ancient Tomb Sect's list were separate, I personally confirmed that you were in the matching list!"

"See for yourself."

Ye Chen didn't want to waste words and hung up the phone.

...

Aboard the high platform.

Wang Tianlong held his phone, completely dazed.

He looked up at the massive electronic screen, his eyes scanning the list rapidly.

The result...

Fuck!

His Master's name really wasn't there!

His expression changed instantly.

Ye Chen had entrusted him with the Ancient Tomb Sect matters, and he had done them perfectly, but if his Master wasn't on the list...

Then he would be a sinner!

Just then.

Master Huineng took a step forward and pressed his palms together, his voice booming: "Fellow practitioners, the groupings are set, and the open selection is about to begin. Please proceed to your corresponding venues according to your groups..."

"Wait!"

Wang Tianlong suddenly turned around and strode back to the center of the high platform.

Master Huineng's movements paused, and he turned to look at him, his eyes full of confusion: "Wang Family Head, what is it?"